Self Esteem or lack there of is a major building block in the way that one views them self. A damaged image of self can leave a person open to ridicule, manipulation, and failure to achieve. Tonight we discuss the effects of low self esteem and how abusers use a persons lack of self esteem to control them. How can low self esteem be lifted and how does someone who has been abused gain a better view of themselves as they move pass the effects of Domestic Abuse.

Join us “live in the Vocal Booth” as we explore self esteem and gaining power from within to create change for our lives.

About “Dark Girls”:

Dark Girls is a documentary that explores the biases and attitudes about skin color that are experienced particularly by dark-skinned women, outside of and within African-American culture.

Documentary Directors/Producers Bill Duke (Duke Media) and D. Channsin Berry (Urban Winter Entertainment) have focused their cameras on an American cultural bias that also runs deepin cultures around the world. The film features poignant, unfiltered, and penetrating interviews with Blackwomen of the darkest hues for their emotional exposés. Duke called Berry with his idea for the movie. Twoyears in the making, “Dark Girls” pulls back a cultural curtain to reveal that the deep-seated biases andhatreds of racism – within and outside of the Black American culture – remain bitterly entrenched. The filmis currently in production. “Dark Girls” Credits: Directed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, Produced byBill Duke for Duke Media and D. Channsin Berry for Urban Winter Entertainment, Co-Produced by BradinnFrench, Line Produced by Cheryl L. Bedford, Edited by Bradinn French, New Media Managed by TatianaEL-Khouri.

Bill Duke

Born February 26, 1943 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, Bill Duke is an American actor and film director with over 30 years of experience. He received his dramatic arts training at Boston University where he Majored in Speech and Drama earning his B.A., followed by his M.F.A. at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Duke went on to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for Best Young Director at the American Film Institute in 1979.

Duke recently received a Lifetime Achievement Tribute from the Directors Guild of America as he joined the ranks of directors Stephen Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and Clint Eastwood. But what makes Bill Duke stand out from these other directors is the fact that he is a director who paved the way for African Americans in cinema beginning in the early 1970's.

He is the founder and CEO of Duke Media, formerly Yagya Productions, which has been successfully producing film and television for over 30 years. Bill Duke serves on the Board of Trustees at the American Film Institute. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has also appointed him to the California State Film Commission Board. Bill Duke served as the Time Warner Endowed Chair in the Department of Radio Television and Film at Howard University in Washington, DC. He was then appointed to the National Endowment of the Humanities by President Bill Clinton.

Bill Duke's directing credits include The Killing Floor, A Rage in Harlem, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deep Cover, Hoodlum, The Cemetery Club, Cover and Not Easily Broken. Currently in post production are the films Black Diamonds: The Evolution of Blacks in Baseball and Dark Girls. (Detailed list provided below).

He has continued to divide his time between appearing in front of, as well as behind the camera. He is unprecedented in his ability to be recognized as a mainstay in Hollywood.

D. Channsin Berry

D. Channsin Berry, a modern day Renaissance man, is a filmmaker, as well as a prolificsongwriter, and painter. Mr. Berry's career has moved seamlessly through the movie and musicindustries. He was born in 1959 in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Rutgers University in1982 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Marketing. Mr. Berry started his careerin New York radio at WBLS (FM) (under the leadership of mentor and friend Frankie Crocker).After spending 5 years in radio in the Bay Area Mr. Berry moved to Los Angeles for a position inthe Walt Disney Studios Feature Film Financing Division, where he honed his skills in theproduction and finance side of the business.

Marvin Sapp was introduced to the gospel community by Fred Hammond as a six year member of the vocal group Commissioned. "I am a preacher - called by God - who happens to sing," is the way he defines his ministry - which was given its official blessing upon his receiving of the Doctor of Divinity Degree from Aenon Bible College and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Friends International Christian University. Sapp’s previous releases as a solo artist are the self-titled Marvin Sapp (his solo debut for Word Records – 1996); Grace & Mercy: Live (1997); Nothing Else Matters (1999); I Believe (his 2002 Verity debut); Diary of a Psalmist (2003); Be Exalted (2005) and Thirsty (2007).

When he isn’t spreading the word of God through over 200 preaching and speaking engagements a year, Sapp ministers at The Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, where he is senior pastor. By 2012, he hopes to have built a 1,500 seat sanctuary connecting to “FLC.” His ultimate goal: to encourage Believers to elevate their level of worship and praise.

Tonight’s Topic: Being Judgmental- A State of Superior Airs or A State of Self-hate?

Have you ever encountered a person that can just point out everything you do wrong or are struggling with? Often times this person could be a friend, family member or a coworker. This individual may have a critical spirit or a genuine desire to help you improve your short comings. Whatever the reason good or bad how do you feel when they approach you? Are you able to receive the criticism? Do you see their short comings and complexly reject the whole encounter as hypocrisy. Could it be the very thing the person is trying to correct in you is the thing they despise in themselves?

Tonight the ‘Live in the Vocal Booth Team” will discusses being Judgmental and how it can effects all involved..

Special Guest: J. Kingdom (aka Pastor Michael J.T. Fisher)

J. Kingdom became the Pastor of the Greater Zion Church Family at the young age of 26! Over the years, he has become known throughout the community and abroad for his ability to reach and reform troubled youth and young adults. Mothers, fathers and the many Grandparents’s who have been left to care for their teen grand children often call upon him to help re-direct their troubled youth. Fisher has taken the once small Church in Compton from approximately 400 members to more than 4500! That’s huge in COMPTON!

The Greater Zion Church Family is located in Compton, CA and is literally nestled in between two rivalry gang territories. Fisher has experienced great success in changing/saving the lives of many of them by spending time with them, counseling, listening and providing a platform for them to express themselves through the arts. Fisher believes that there are so many young talented people who just need a platform to express their frustrations. They just want someone to hear and understand their plight and their struggles in hopes to finding a solution. And that is when Pastor Fisher does his best work, offering them the keys to a better life and a divinely intended destiny! He helps them find the “Champion” within themselves. (hence, the album title “Champion”).

In 2010, Fisher lead the Voices of Destiny, a 50+ voice choir to a highly publicized sweeping victory in the national competition of Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Contest. People were AMAZED to find out that not only was this a group of talented young people but many of its members were reformed gang members, drug dealers, drug users, delinquent’s and high school drop outs. Many had spent time in juvenile hall or had been arrested at some point in their young lives. The win opened up doors for them that they could have never imagined and they are still riding that wave of success to date.

The choir used the winnings from How Sweet the Sound to complete the first youth center in South Compton, CA and they remain extremely active in the community helping to rescue other youth’s and young adults from their toxic environments. They offer tutoring, counseling, STD testing and a place to belong with a large family that cares about every area of their lives!

Call in 646-233-1302 or chat live with our chat rebels. Let us know your opinions and Join the BKS1 Radio experience!

Let's Get It On w/ Relationship Coach Sadie, Use it or lose it, stay on top of your relationship and know there is always room for improvement. Relationship coach Sadie shows you how to keep your relationship fresh and energized. Learn How & When to upgrade your relationship. Call in 646-233-1302 or chat live, get answers to your relationship questions.

It's the most haunting news you'll ever hear, and unfortunately we've all heard it before. Someone has committed suicide. Tonight, we're tackling an issue most shows won't even touch. When someone takes their own life, the questions as to why stop you in your tracks. What kind of pain can drive someone to take their own lives? Why didn't they reach out to someone for help? How do you pick up the broken pieces and carry on?

Join us as we have a heart-to-heart about losing loved ones who couldn't defeat their demons. We will discuss how depression can drive someone to a choice they feel is the only way to escape their inner turmoil. We'll also learn how the statistics stack up demographically in our society when it comes to suicide. Does it affect one race, gender, or age group over another? Listen in as we talk to family and friends who have been left behind in the aftermath of such a devastating loss. Most importantly, share your own stories of how suicide has affected your life. Are you contemplating ending it all? While you may be hurting, we want to help. Tonight on "Live in the Vocal Booth".

Call 646-233-1302 with your thoughts, opinions or tell us if you have battled through these issues or currently battling with them. Your story and experience may help out someone who is going through them. Join the BKS1 Radio experience! Like our Facebook fan page: Best Kept Secrets Entertainment and follow us on twitter: @bks1radioent

Musical Guest: Thurston Ray

Smooth, soulful, and jazzy are a few words that may describe the musical style of singer-songwriter, Thurston Ray. It may also be described as romantic, optimistic, and uniquely familiar. However it’s described, the Thurston Ray sound has been crafted to take the listener on a journey through emotions, melodies, and sweet inspiration. Thurston Ray is a Brooklyn, NY bass baritone vocalist who blends groovy soul music, jazzy vocals, and messages about real life and love.

Thurston Ray, originally born Timothy Thurston, got his start while growing up in the small town of Montross, VA. From the beginning, Thurston always had a love for the arts, whether drawing, writing, or singing. And growing up in a family rooted in gospel music helped to develop an ear for music and melodies at an early age. Somewhere in the midst of the music, Thurston started writing and reciting poetry as an outlet for creativity in churches, schools, and talent showcases.

After moving to Norfolk, VA to attend Old Dominion University, Thurston gained a name for himself in Virginia’s underground spoken word community as a spoken word artist. Under the stage name ShakespeareBlak, two albums were released. “From Dust” was released in 2003 with the help of a local independent record label, TMS Records. A single from the project, “Harmony”, was later featured on the Compilation CD “Fusion: A Blend of Poetry and Music” which was released through GPM Records-Malaco Music Group in 2005. Also during the same year, “The Mind…The Melody” was released independently and featured a cappella vocal melodies and spoken word. Although neither album gained major commercial success, Thurston was simply satisfied with sharing his gift and touching people through song and poetry.

Today, after years of quiet growth and focus, Thurston Ray is poised to step back into the music scene with more maturity and confidence. Relocation, rededication, and of course time were needed for this moment. Years were spent simply writing songs in his small Brooklyn apartment, and Thurston knew that one day he’d be delivering his music to new audiences. “I didn’t know how it would all come together,” Thurston stated. “I just knew that I had to write, and do what I could with the gift I had.” During this quiet hiatus, the majority of Thurston’s latest project was written. So once Thurston found the producer and place to record, a studio mysteriously located one block away from his apartment, there was an abundance of creativity waiting to be manifested. It was at this studio that Thurston Ray joined forces with producer Matthew “Matlock” Robinson. Together they created a jazzy Soul and R&B sound fused with catchy, sing-a-long hooks and bob-your-head bass lines.

Thurston Ray’s sound and messages are made to stand as a soundtrack to the ups and downs of anyone’s love and life. It marks life’s imperfect journey and reflects on its fresh new beginnings. For everyday is a new beginning. This is the start or restart of something special, something real. This is Thurston Ray.

Tonight the Live In The Vocal Booth team brings you Lionel Richie's latest release Tuskegee. A blind of country music and r & b music Tuskegee is Lionel Richie's 10th studio album. From being a member of the Commodores to solo artist Richie has delivered multiple classic songs. Lets see if Tuskegee keeps up with the tradition of quality music Richie has been known for to deliver. Read more about Lionel Richie.

Tonight's Topic: Ending It All - Part II

It's the most haunting news you'll ever hear, and unfortunately we've all heard it before. Someone has committed suicide. Tonight, we're tackling an issue most shows won't even touch. When someone takes their own life, the questions as to why stop you in your tracks. What kind of pain can drive someone to take their own lives? Why didn't they reach out to someone for help? How do you pick up the broken pieces and carry on?

Join us as we have a heart-to-heart about losing loved ones who couldn't defeat their demons. We will discuss how depression can drive someone to a choice they feel is the only way to escape their inner turmoil. We'll also learn how the statistics stack up demographically in our society when it comes to suicide. Does it affect one race, gender, or age group over another? Listen in as we talk to family and friends who have been left behind in the aftermath of such a devastating loss. Most importantly, share your own stories of how suicide has affected your life. Are you contemplating ending it all? While you may be hurting, we want to help. Tonight on "Live in the Vocal Booth".

Call 646-233-1302 with your thoughts, opinions or tell us if you have battled through these issues or currently battling with them. Your story and experience may help out someone who is going through them. Join the BKS1 Radio experience! Like our Facebook fan page: Best Kept Secrets Entertainment and follow us on twitter: @bks1radioent

Special Musical Guest: Kat Doray

Kat Doray is a phenomenal talent who was signed at the young age of 16 and has written songs with the best of them including Ne-Yo, Keri Hilson, Ester Dean and many more. A life changing event required her to step away from the pursuit of her musical dream for a brief time. For the past two years Kat has been growing and developing herself as an artist and is ready to show the world what she has to offer. Check out her first video for her single A Broken Home and tune in to hear more from Kat Doray.

How do you feel about your body? Have you ever felt pressured by society, media, and/or a significant other to alter your body in some way? Most women have! Our perception of our body is being attacked daily. From the waif thin model to the va-va-va-voom video vixens, women are bombarded with what others believe to be attractive. This Friday from 11pm-1am the ladies of OWWHH will tackle the truth about dealing with Body image with guest photographer Glen Graham only on www.bks1radio.com!

It seems as if everyone today is searching for the Fountain of Youth. There is an undeniable desire amongst most people, especially women, to stay young and healthy and beautiful as long as possible. The pressure to have eternal youth drives many to try quick fixes and diet fads that are detrimental to their health and self-esteem. This Friday from 11pm-1am talk with the ladies of OWWHH about ways to achieve the ultimate path to Eternal Youth only on www.bks1radio.com

Every Woman wants to feel beautiful and confident in her own skin, but when society paints a picture of what sexy is to men some women find it hard not to feel inadequate. Not only does this create issues for women as far as how they see themselves, but also how others view them as well and that's where the problem starts. No woman likes to be compared to another and yet we find ourselves doing it on a day to day basis, and that’s where the complex begins.

It happened with the comparison of light and dark skinned women and its become an even bigger issue with weight and shape. Women at war for the attention of man and what is viewed as beautiful, acceptable, and "sexy" in their eyes, and most importantly to the world. The misconception of Skinny vs. Curvy goes way beyond just a few inches.

(dealing with them (INTERNAL), covering them up(EXTERNAL), exposing them to the world, sharing them with a loved one-significant other/family)

We all know the world is full of imperfection, and yet many people try to cover their imperfections with false confidence, surgery, medication, or other means of camouflage. No matter what any of us say or how confident we exude ourselves to be when it comes to being comfortable with our body image, personality, or otherwise there is always something we secretly want to improve. Women have this issue more so than men especially because women face criticism by means of media, society, and personally including relationships. You'll never see a man turn to another and ask, "Do I look fat in these pants?" But that doesn't mean men are invulnerable to insecurities, no matter how much they like to think so.

Women are upfront about their fears, doubts, and self-esteem. Some may think of it as compulsive gabbiness, a quirk of the fairer sex, but in fact, it is an admirable coping mechanism that can come across to some as a bit courageous. Just because men don't talk about their insecurities doesn't mean they don't have them. The most common of insecurities in men besides their physical appearance is income, material gain such as a expensive cars/homes etc., relationships, and even their (whispers) "friend down under". Both sexes young and old face challenges when it comes to overcoming insecurities, and at times it can hinder our growth as individuals personally and romantically.

Image is important to everyone, and having a natural confidence about something we find to be an "eyesore" or unattractive to others is hard to obtain. For us average individuals who can't look to a "quick fix" by means of wealth; learning to live with these issues is easier said than done, but can our insecurities cost us more than we bargain by not truly loving ourselves for who we are or even overcompensating swaggering arrogance for bravery. Either way no one can perpetrate to the world a message for people to "Hate it or Love", forever, especially without knowing the answer themselves, but at some point we all have to face the music and look ourselves in the mirror.

This world we live in has grown to become accepting of some individuals. While not all of humanity can stand the changes nor support others decisions to be who they are and with whom they choose. There are those of us who accept people no matter what their color, their ethnicity, or their sexuality. If, "It doesn't matter if your black or white", why should it matter if your homosexual or heterosexual. We all breathe the same air, roam the same cities, and have the ability to feel just as much as the next person. Although, many people don't see it that way, and are simply ignorant to the fact that times have changed.

Television shows like "Grey's Anatomy", "Glee", "Real World" "Ru-Paul's Drag Race", "Degrassi", and many more have shown the pride behind being homosexual and the difficulties they face on a personal level, and in society. The fact that homosexuality has become mainstream shows that "Gay Pride", is not all the negative things people who don't understand or experience make it out to be, and people of political and celebrity stature like Barak Obama, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Frank Ocean, and many others have come out and publicly admitted to being homosexual, written music to inspire, or are in full support of "Gay Rights."

No matter if they call it genetic, a disease, or a fad there are people who consider their sexuality a lifestyle or simply put it's just who they are and what they enjoy. Who are we (those individuals who choose to go against Gay Rights) to judge someone for who they love or who they choose to be intimate with, when not so long ago black and whites, or anyone of mixed race couldn't sit next to each other let alone be in love, have children, or be married. Is it wrong for these individuals to be neglected their right to be who they are or choose to be whether it means difference in their genders style of dressing, who they marry, or how they act.

It’s a passion and a desire that only some truly explore or feel and it's a part of our culture as human beings to accept their decisions as individuals. Being different is something we all deal with at one point or another in our lives, but does being a homosexual make you different? There is not one person on this planet that doesn't have a family member or friend that is Gay, so why can't it be as natural as a man and a woman? and if YOU DISAGREE is it on its way to being a natural part of life or society? Don’t get me wrong not everyone is OUT. There are still many in the closet whether ashamed of who they are or what they prefer, whether they don't feel society is ready for their exposure, or that their wives or husbands won’t accept their true nature.

The lovely ladies of OWWHH love to see a fierce confident Queen in action, and more than that love having them around. Their style is undeniable, their makeup is always fierce, and they are usually better to have around because their "drama", usually will have you rolling on the floor. There is so much to living the lifestyle of our Queens, Gays, Lesbians, and/or Homosexual’s than we average folks realize, and tonight we are going to indulge ourselves in their culture, the criticisms they face, their language, style, and societal views on being who they are in today's day and age. We have so many angles to touch on this subject, but we will have FUN FIRST and foremost because "Our Queens" love a good show and WE know you love to watch. The ladies of OWWHH are going in HARD! ;)

Special Guest: Rapper Nasty Nick

Rapper Nasty Nick was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. At the age of 9 years Old Nick was both introduced & intrigued by hip hop. Raised in the Suburbs of NYC growing up was a bit different for Nick being of Puerto Rican and Irish descent and living on the South Shore of Staten Island. Nick decided to venture out on his own at the age of 18; this definitely set Nick apart from his peers. With affiliations to Rapper Foxy Brown since early 2000, Foxy was always an inspiration as an artist & he loved her persona too.

Unfortunately, Foxy suffered hearing loss in the mid 2000’s but her loss had only inspired Nick even more to create classic hip hop music, as Foxy Brown did. As a full time college student and full time worker it wasn’t always easy to make ends meet. It was that depression, anxiety & responsibility that really drove Nasty Nick to pursue his musical endeavors. After forming the group D.A.D.T. with fellow rapper and Islander Anna Monroe – Nasty spent much of much of 2009, 2010 and 2011 recording & engineering music for D.A.D.T. - what would have been Hip Hop’s next big super group.

“Although the project never came to life, it was a great experience, I think you learn the most about yourself from working with other people & we’re still great friends - Anna will be on the album ‘Lost in the Shuffle’.”

Over the past several years Nick has been working his way around the underground scene in New York City and is a regular at Pyramid’s EOW open-mic night. Nick is planning a new assault on the New York Metro area when he releases his Debut Album “Lost in the Shuffle” via iTunes on February 14, 2011. “They ain’t ready”, Nick laughs – “my stage Presence is bananas.”

With club anthem’s like “FIRE” & “Drinks to the Ceiling” Nasty plans on hitting the Hip Hop club scene pretty hard, and on this album you are sure to get your share of introspective tracks like the lead single “Lost in the Shuffle” to coincide the classic hip hop sounds of “Make it hot” & “Kiss the Boys” to name a few.

“My album definitely has something for everybody, and yeah, I’m the Gay rapper, but first – I’m a rapper. That’s always first and foremost. . . It’s been quite the adventure over the past year making this album, pleasure, pain – blood, sweat and tears. I only hope to inspire other people and to create a voice for those of us who don’t have a voice in hip hop – Valentine’s Day, 2012 you can be the judge! Get your copy on iTunes!”